Lacrosse Ball Collector

ABSTRACT

A portable lacrosse ball collector having a base section, a front rail, and a flexible net secured to the base section and the flexible rail. The base section has sidewalls along its periphery that retain any lacrosse balls, which enter lacrosse ball collector. The lacrosse ball collector can be conveniently disassembled and transported from one location to another. An optional removable target screen covers the entrance to the goal, and provides a number of apertures at predetermined locations that allow players to improve their skills by practicing aiming at specific locations on the lacrosse goal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present invention relates to sports equipment. In particular, it relates to lacrosse ball collectors.

Background

Like many sports, lacrosse uses a goal to capture balls that enter it during the course of play. In dedicated lacrosse fields, the goals may be permanently installed such that only the nets need to be taken down when not in use. However, this is not always the case. In fields where multiple sports are played, the goals are often temporary and are removed from the field at the end of play.

Likewise, when athletes are practicing lacrosse, they may wish to have the ability to pick any convenient location for practice. In this case, it would be desirable to have a temporary goal that is easily installed and removed.

While having the portable and temporary goals is very useful for playing lacrosse, but it does not assist players when practicing how to place a shot. Placement of a shot can be very important when attempting to score. Unfortunately, the prior art does not provide an easy way to help players perfect their shooting skills in terms of shot placement. It would be desirable to have a method of facilitating training of lacrosse player such that they can perfect their skills at shot placement.

While prior art goals accomplish their intended purposes, they also are inconvenient to use when the location of practice sessions, and/or game locations can vary. It would be desirable to have a goal assembly that is portable and easy to install, which can function as a goal as well as a ball collector, and which could be easily converted into a training device for improving shot placement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable lacrosse goal that has an integral ball collector, and which can be conveniently a disassembled and transported from one location to another. The portable includes a removable target screen that covers the entrance to the goal, and provides a number of apertures at predetermined locations that allow players to practice aiming at specific locations on the lacrosse goal such that the players become more skilled at shot placement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the lacrosse ball collector.

FIG. 2 is a top few of the lacrosse ball collector.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the lacrosse ball collector.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the lacrosse ball collector with a shooter screen covering the front of the lacrosse ball collector with apertures and the target screen for practicing placement of the lacrosse ball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Prior to a detailed discussion of the figures, a general overview of the invention will be presented.

The invention is a portable lacrosse goal that can be used as a goal and an actual game, or as a lacrosse ball collector for use as a practice goal for training sessions.

In regulation play, a lacrosse goal forms an opening or goal mouth that is 6 feet wide and 6 feet high (inside measurements). Goals are typically constructed of 1½ inch (outside diameter 1.90 inches) metal pipe and are painted orange. Goals consist of two vertical posts joined by a rigid top crossbar. The vertical posts are 6 feet apart, and the top crossbar is 6 feet above the ground.

Lacrosse goals are constructed such that when a lacrosse ball enters the goal's mouth and is a goal, it does not re-enter the field of play. In-ground goals use vertical posts that are 7½ feet in overall length and are inserted into 1½ foot by 2-inch vertical sleeves that are inserted into the ground, exposing 6 feet of vertical post above the ground. The sleeves are capped at the bottom, and the top of the sleeves are at ground level.

On fields where an in-ground goal is not used or on artificial-surface fields, the following goals are legal:

a. Flat-iron goal (recommended for use on artificial-surface fields)

Each vertical post is 6 feet long and is attached to a piece of flat iron at the bottom. The two flat irons, each attached to a vertical post, meet at a point 7 feet back from the center of the goal. The maximum thickness of the flat iron is ½ inch, with no part of the flat iron extending into the goal line. If a flat-iron goal is used on a grass field, it is attached to the ground with ground anchors.

b. Obtuse-angle goal and 90-degree angle goal

Each vertical post is 6 feet long and shall be attached to a ground pipe at the bottom. The ground pipe must form an obtuse angle or a 90-degree angle with the goal line immediately behind the vertical post and then bend to extend to a point 7 feet back from the center of the goal.

A line is drawn between the goal posts to indicate the plane of the goal, and it is designated as the goal line. The net is considered part of the goal. The goals our centered between the sidelines and placed 15 yards from each end line.

Goal Creases

Around each goal is a plainly marked circle known as the goal crease. The area within the goal crease is not painted. This circle is marked by using the midpoint of the goal line as the center and drawing a circle with a radius of 9 feet around that point. The goal-crease area is the circular surface about each goal within and including the goal-crease line itself.

Goal Nets

Each goal is fitted with a pyramid shaped cord netting that shall extend and be fastened on the ground at a point 7 feet back of the center of the goal. The net is considered part of the goal. The mesh of the net shall not exceed 1½ inches, and the net is fastened to the goal posts, crossbar and the ground to prevent the passage of the lacrosse ball. Nets are adjusted so the ball passes completely through the imaginary plane of the goal at any location inside the border of the goal posts.

The invention provides a portable lacrosse ball collector that can be used as a practice device as well as a goal that can be used in lacrosse games.

The device includes the base section with peripheral walls that retain the lacrosse balls once they enter the lacrosse ball collector.

A front rail defines shape of the opening to lacrosse ball collector and it's attached to the front of the base section. A flexible net is secured to the front rail along it's periphery and further secure to the edge of the bass section such that when a lacrosse ball passes through the front rail, it is captured by the flexible net and thereafter drops into the bass section where it is retained.

Having discussed the features and advantages of the invention in general, we turn now to a more detailed discussion of the figures.

In FIG. 1, a front view of a preferred embodiment of the lacrosse ball collector 1 is illustrated. This view shows the front wall 2 of the base section. In addition, it illustrates the front rail 3 and the flexible net 4 that is secured to the front rail 3 and the base section 2.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that size and shape of the lacrosse ball collector 1 can vary. For example, smaller sizes can be used for young children just learning how to play, while regulation sizes can be used for older children and adults.

In regulation play, the lacrosse ball collector 1 is approximately 72 inches across the front wall 2 of the base section and 84 inches deep. The Front wall 2 and the side walls 5-6 (shown in FIG. 3) are approximately 6 inches to 8 inches high to retain the lacrosse balls.

In the preferred embodiment, the preferred material used to fabricate the base section is a flat vinyl bottom with 3 flat-pocketed side walls 2, 5-6 with hook and loop tabs. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the base section bottom can also be fabricated from any other suitable material, such as plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, or cloth. These 3 flat-pocketed side walls 2 and 5-6 are then are inserted with six inch wide battens.

Once the three pocketed sides have been inserted with the battens they are then folded up and secured by the hook and loop tabs. There are grommets inside of each corner of the base section of the lacrosse ball collector 1. The grommets bar located in the flat portion of the base section to allow water drainage.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a preferred embodiment of the lacrosse ball collector 1. This embodiment illustrates the front rail 3, the front wall 2 of the base section, the two sidewalls 5-6 of the base section, and the flexible next 4.

Well those skilled in the art recognize that the lacrosse ball collector 1 can take any suitable size, the preferred embodiment conditions that the front wall 2 of the bass section is approximately 6 feet across, while the side walls 5-6 extend approximately 7 feet rearward from the front wall. The flexible net 4 is preferably secured to the front rail 3 and the side walls 5-6 sufficiently taut such that the flexible net 4 does not interfere with the lacrosse ball as it passes through the front rail 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of lacrosse ball collector 1. This view shows the front rail 3, the side wall 5, and the flexible net 4. In this figure, the flexible net 4 is shown secured to the top of the side wall 5. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the flexible net 4 can be secured such that it covers the side walls 5-6.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the lacrosse ball collector 1 with a target screen 7 covering the front of the lacrosse ball collector 1 with apertures 8 and positions at predetermined locations for practicing placement of the lacrosse ball. The target screen 7 prevents a lacrosse ball from entering the goal unless it is hit through one of the apertures 8.

The apertures 8 her position such that when a player is practicing shots on goal, the player has to carefully aim the shot so that it can enter the goal. During the course of the game, there are times when a player wants to aim for a specific area of the goal based on the position of other players. By having smaller targets on the front of the goal, the player can perfect shooting skills by practicing aiming at smaller targets.

The apertures 8 are preferably positioned such that players can practice making shots at corners of the goal, at the top of the goal, at the bottom of the goal, at the center, etc. The training advantage provided by the target screen 7 is that it improves the skill of the player such that the player can make a better shot depending on the position of a defending player.

The target screen 7 can be fabricated from any suitable material, such as, vinyl, canvas, netting, polyethylene, polypropylene, plastic, etc. Further, the preferred invention that envisions the target screen 7 being removable from the lacrosse ball connector 1 such that when practice is over, it can be removed so that the lacrosse ball connector 1 can be used for an actual game. The target screen 7 can be attached to the lacrosse ball connector 1 by any suitable mains such as hook and loop straps, string ties, clamps, etc.

The target screen 7 provides an easy to use and install training device that will improve the skills of lacrosse players.

Those skilled in the art will realize that while the target screen 7 can be used with the lacrosse ball collector 1 shown above, it can also be attached to any pre-existing lacrosse goal. In addition, other sports, such as hockey, also benefit players when they can improve placement of shots. As a result, the target screen 7 disclosed herein can also be effectively used as a training aid in other sports, such as hockey. The nature of the skill improvement is equally useful for hockey as well as lacrosse die to the similarity of the goals and how scoring is done. Therefore, while the disclosure focuses on lacrosse as a primary example, the advantages of the invention apply equally to hockey.

While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention. For example, the material used to construct the lacrosse ball collector may be anything suitable for its purpose, the size and shape of the lacrosse ball collector can vary, etc. Accordingly, the invention herein disclosed is to be limited only as specified in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lacrosse ball collector, comprising: a base section having a front wall and at least two sidewalls along its periphery; a front rail defining an opening defining a lacrosse goal; a flexible net secured to the front rail and further secured to the base section such that lacrosse ball entering through the front rail is caught by the flexible net and deposited into the base section.
 2. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 1, wherein: the base section has sidewalls approximately 6 to 8 inches high, such that balls entering the lacrosse ball collector are retained in it.
 3. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 2, wherein: the base section further comprises a floor.
 4. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 3, wherein: the floor is fabricated from vinyl, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, or cloth.
 5. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 3, wherein: the floor of the base section further comprises grommets having apertures that allow water in the base section to water drainage.
 6. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 1, further comprising: a target screen, secured to the front of the lacrosse ball collector, the target screen further having a plurality of apertures sized to allow a lacrosse ball to enter the goal.
 7. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 6, wherein: the apertures are positioned at predetermined locations near the top, bottom, and sides of the target screen.
 8. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 6, wherein: the target screen is fabricated from vinyl, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, or cloth.
 9. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 6, wherein: the target screen is removably attached to the lacrosse ball collector.
 10. A lacrosse ball collector, as in claim 6, wherein: the target screen is removably attached to the lacrosse ball collector with hook and loop material, clamps, or ties.
 11. A target screen for a lacrosse goal, further comprising: a flexible panel secured to the front of the lacrosse goal, the target screen further having a plurality of apertures sized to allow a lacrosse ball to enter the goal.
 12. A target screen, as in claim 11, wherein: the apertures are positioned at predetermined locations near the top, bottom, and sides of the target screen.
 13. A target screen, as in claim 12, wherein: the target screen is fabricated from vinyl, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, or cloth.
 14. A target screen, as in claim 11, wherein: the target screen is removably attached to the lacrosse ball collector.
 15. A target screen, as in claim 14, wherein: the target screen is removably attached to the lacrosse ball collector with hook and loop material, clamps, or ties.
 16. A target screen for a hockey goal, further comprising: a flexible panel secured to the front of the hockey goal, the target screen further having a plurality of apertures sized to allow a hockey puck to enter the goal.
 17. A target screen, as in claim 16, wherein: the apertures are positioned at predetermined locations near the top, bottom, and sides of the target screen.
 18. A target screen, as in claim 17, wherein: the target screen is fabricated from vinyl, plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, or cloth.
 19. A target screen, as in claim 16, wherein: the target screen is removably attached to the hockey goal.
 20. A target screen, as in claim 19, wherein: the target screen is removably attached to the hockey goal with hook and loop material, clamps, or ties. 